The UbiWorkshop now offers preorders of the PC edition of the Assassin's Creed III UbiWorkshop Edition, though they note that a shipping date on this is TBD (thanks Computer and Video Games). Here's word on what this will offer:

Even without the always online requirement, Uplay is utterly worthless. You know how you can activate Steamworks games on Steam regardless of where you buy them? Yeah, you can't do that with Uplay games. If you want a game added to your Uplay account, you have to buy it directly from Uplay.